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Porsche 911 SC

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The "Super Carrera" · 1978-1983

Porsche 911 SC Buyer's Guide

The robust classic: this buyer's guide takes you through the model years, the engineering and the cost traps of this milestone. So you can recognise a good car and avoid buying the wrong one.

The SC evolution Weak point check Cost overview Market values Conclusion & recommendation
An era of consolidation

The ideal way into the air-cooled world

The 911 SC ("Super Carrera") marked an era of consolidation. Originally planned as the last 911, its success secured the survival of the model line. It combines the classic feel with massively improved robustness: a fully galvanised body and a 3.0-litre aluminium engine.

From the early 180 PS car to the coveted 204 PS top model and the first true Cabriolet: the SC is today the ideal way into the air-cooled world. But there are traps here too, such as Dilavar head studs and the K-Jetronic.

180-204 PS

3.0L aluminium case, K-Jetronic

3.0 L

A robust aluminium flat six

1983

The debut of the first SC Cabriolet

Galvanised

A fully galvanised body

The SC evolution

The evolution of the 3.0-litre engine

Every SC uses the robust 3.0L aluminium case with K-Jetronic. But the power rose steadily.

The start (1978-79)

180 PS (132 kW)

  • A solid basis, laid out for regular fuel (compression 8.5:1)
  • The successor to the Carrera 3.0
  • Take care: early cars often used Dilavar head studs, which can break
  • Conversion to steel head studs is a plus

The transitional year (1980)

188 PS (138 kW)

  • A slight increase in power through higher compression (8.6:1)
  • Revised ignition on RoW cars
  • US cars stayed at around 180 PS

The finale (1981-83)

204 PS (150 kW)

  • Considerably more spirit through compression of 9.8:1 (super plus fuel)
  • Steel head studs from the factory (more reliable)
  • A milestone in 1983: the introduction of the first SC Cabriolet

SC Cabriolet (1983)

The debut model

  • The first full convertible since the 356
  • A manual hood, a strengthened body
  • Available only with the strong 204 PS engine (RoW)
  • Much sought after
Specialist knowledge

Detailed analysis: engineering and weak points

Click the sections to read the full information.

1. Body: the blessing of galvanising +

The a fully galvanised body is the greatest advantage of the SC. Even so, after 40 years corrosion is an issue.

Critical areas:

  • B-pillar / striker panel: the kidney bowls behind the sill. Corrosion here is expensive.
  • Sills: check them inside and out. The jacking points are the indicators
  • Headlight bowls and wings: collecting points for dirt
  • Window frames: rust blisters under the seals (front and rear)
  • Targa/Cabriolet: the seals shrink, water gets in and the floor panel corrodes
Accident check: Check the bumper bellows. Uneven panel gaps or differences in paint thickness point to accident damage.
2. Engine: the 3.0L aluminium case and the Dilavar problem +

The 3.0-litre engine (aluminium) is regarded as bulletproof. Mileages of more than 200,000 km are normal.

Weak points:

  • Head studs (Dilavar): On early cars (to around 1981), the lower head studs often broke. The consequence: a leak between the head and the cylinder. Repair: €3,000 - €6,000. Later cars had steel studs (better)
  • Chain tensioner: The original hydraulic units fail. Conversion to the pressure-fed Carrera tensioners is essential. Cost: €800 - €1,200
  • K-Jetronic (CIS): robust, but sensitive to air leaks. The warm-up regulator and the fuel distributor can gum up
  • Airbox (air filter housing): it can split on a backfire. A pop-off valve protects against this (retrofitting around €150)
  • Oil leaks: Oil return tubes, cam covers, seals (the "triangle of death" at the thermostat)
3. Gearbox: type 915 +

The standard fitment was the five-speed type 915. More robust than its predecessor, but with quirks.

  • Synchromesh rings: wear in first and second (a crunch). Overhaul: €2,500 - €5,000
  • Shift linkage: the bushes develop play and the shift feels like stirring porridge. New bushes (around €200) work wonders
  • Clutch: a wear part. Replacement is involved (the engine has to be dropped). Cost: €1,000 - €1,800
4. Suspension and brakes +

Suspension: Torsion bars. The rubber bushes age. Replacing them with new parts or polyurethane bushes improves the precision enormously. Check the dampers (Bilstein/Koni).

Brakes: A solid system. The callipers can seize (overhaul: €150 each). The lines corrode. Change the brake fluid every two years.

5. Interior and electrics: 1980s charm +

Interior: The seats (cloth, leather, Pascha) wear on the bolsters. The dashboards crack (sunlight). Targa roofs shrink (expensive trimming work).

Electrics:

  • Fuse box (torpedo fuses): the contacts corrode. An upgrade to blade fuses is recommended
  • Windows/sunroof: check the motors
  • Heating: check the heat exchangers (corrosion can let exhaust gas into the cabin)
The 911 SC model bible

The complete knowledge: the Investor Dossier & Technical Compendium, in German

Concentrated expert knowledge on the 911 SC: detailed weak points, inspection checklists, marks of originality, value-enhancing options and price forecasts.

€97

incl. VAT

To the compendium (German)
Estimates for 2025

Cost overview

Realistic prices for work at specialist workshops.

Engine

Work / componentScopeEstimated cost
Renew the head studsAfter a break (partial strip-down)€3,000 - €6,000
Engine rebuild (complete)Depending on wear€10,000 - €20,000
Chain tensioner upgradeTo the Carrera tensioners€800 - €1,200
K-Jetronic overhaulFuel distributor/regulator€500 - €2,000

Drivetrain and body

Work / componentScopeEstimated cost
Gearbox overhaul (915)Synchromesh rings€2,500 - €5,000
Clutch replacementFitting included€1,000 - €1,800
Heat exchangers (stainless steel)Pair plus fitting€1,500 - €3,000
Restore the Targa roofCovering/seals€1,000 - €2,500
Market values, as at May 2025

Market values and price development

The SC holds its value and is popular. Coupés and 204 PS cars lead on price.

ModelGood (condition grade 2)Top (condition grade 1)
SC Coupé (204 PS)€70,000 - €95,000€95,000 - €120,000+
SC Coupé (180/188 PS)€60,000 - €80,000€80,000 - €100,000
SC Targa€55,000 - €85,000Often 5-10% cheaper than the Coupés
SC Cabriolet€75,000 - €100,000€90,000 - €130,000

Conclusion and recommendation from 911Finder

The SC is the everyman among classic 911s: robust, reliable and fun.

Buying tip: Look for a 204 PS car (from 1981). It offers the best performance and no longer has the Dilavar problem from the factory. A pre-purchase inspection is essential, to rule out hidden corrosion or engine wear.

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